Cat and Dog Fleas are very similar in appearance and both species can live on both cats and dogs. Humans are mainly attacked by cat Fleas. A cat or dog may have a light infestation of Fleas without the human inhabitants knowing it, but if the pets are carrying large numbers of Fleas, then there is naturally a greater likelihood of humans being bitten.

A heavy infestation may occur if the cat or dog is removed from the house, for then the insect has no alternative but to feed off us. In such cases one may comfort oneself with the fact that the cat and dog Fleas cannot breed without their principle hosts, and so eventually the infestation will die out on its own. On the other hand, they can live for months on a diet of human blood, so it needs an unusual amount of patience to wait until the fleas die of old age.

Found in and around homes, they're most abundant in summer, and seem to be especially numerous when homes are re-occupied after the residents have been away for a few weeks. The cat and dog Flea are so similar in appearance and biology that for practical purposes they can be described under the same heading.

Surprisingly, adult Fleas make up only a minor portion of the total Flea population in an infested area such as inside a home. Most of the time the eggs and larvae compose about 80% of the Fleas in a home.

Although adult Fleas make up only a small percentage of the total Flea population in a home, they are the most visible and most irritating by far. Smart pest control measures first target the immature stages of the insect's development. Using pesticides to kill adult Fleas is important in many cases but should not be the main target in a professional IPM approach. Not only are there more immature stages than adults but the adult Flea can be more difficult to control than its immature eggs and larvae.

A Flea is specially designed for its life style, with both body and senses that enable the insect to locate a host, maneuver on the body of its host and to feed in a way that supplies its own needs and those of its offspring.

The rear legs of a Flea are a wonder in not only what they can do but also how they do their job. The leg muscles are indeed strong and well coordinated to give the Flea maximum jumping power, much as the legs of other jumpers such as grasshoppers and locusts. The force of the jump causes the flea to tumble in mid-air as it travels upwards and outwards. Hairs facing to the rear and special claw-like "feet" help the Flea catch and hang on to its intended target.

The body of a Flea is shaped in a manner that allows ease of movement through the fur or its host. It is thinner or flatter than most insects and equipped with body hair that has a two-fold purpose: sticking to its host and moving around on its host. With its shape and body hair, the Flea's body is likened to a Velcro dart. Responding to movement, vibrations and the warmth, carbon dioxide and humidity of an animal's breath and body, the Flea jumps upwards towards its intended target. Once it touches the target (animal) it is able to make a safe landing with the aid of body hairs that only point backwards. These backwards facing hairs give the Flea the Velcro effect needed to stick to its host and to crawl forward without falling back to the ground. Even the hairs that resemble a tiny beard serve as extra support, especially during feeding. This beard-like array (called a comb) is one of the characteristics that distinguish the Cat Flea from other Fleas.

Once its host has been located and the Flea has managed to land on its host, it begins to bite and feed. A single Flea can bite an animal numerous times per hour, searching for a suitable area of skin for feeding. The Flea's mouth part is designed for piercing skin and siphoning blood for a meal. If animals could immediately detect the Flea's bite, the animal would respond before the Flea could feed. To prevent this, the Flea's saliva desensitizes the area long enough for the insect to have its blood meal. This saliva also causes an allergic reaction in many animals, causing them to itch and scratch.

Fleas prefer to spend their entire adult life on their host but obviously are shaken loose during the activities of the host animal (jumping, running, scratching, grooming) and this is when a Pest Management Professional will need to be called in for treatment.

Vacuuming after a home has been treated is one of the most important things a homeowner can do to ensure success. The reason for this is because Residual Insecticides cannot penetrate the Pupa sack. Areas where vacuuming should be concentrated are locations where your pets frequent. Adult Fleas, Flea eggs and future food for larvae all fall off of the host in the same general area. Being sensitive to light, the larvae are usually close by but underneath or behind objects such as beds, couches, dressers, etc.

South Edgewood based Assassin Exterminating is able to provide superior Flea Elimination results by using only the highest quality products available to Pest Management Professionals. We proudly utilize products from the following Manufacturers: